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International Day of Democracy

Today marks the commemoration of the International Day of Democracy, an opportunity to reflect on aspirations for freedom and dignity around the world. This year we have seen people on the streets of Tripoli, Cairo, and Tunis demand the freedom to choose their own leaders, speak their mind, assemble without fear, and worship as they please. They want a stake in their own society's political future. This is the essence of democracy.

For over thirty years I have worked to turn the principles of democracy into practice. I am inspired every day by the determination of human rights activists, civil society leaders, journalists, and average citizens who peacefully work to advance the causes of democracy and human rights. Courageous people the world over can and often do take a stand against oppression and it is our duty to help them.

The principles of democracy do not belong to any one country or group of people, but rather constitute timeless and universal truths. While we do not know where democratic movements will flourish and where they will fail, it is in the national interest of the United States to support popular movements such as those that have led to dramatic political changes in Abidjan and Juba and that pave the way for sustainable democracies. Bullets may temporarily silence those challenging oppressive regimes but we will continue to support the people's aspirations for respect, economic opportunity, and meaningful political participation.

Comments

Comments

Sayas

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Afghanistan

September 15, 2011

Sayas in Afghanistan writes:

Democracy Is a great word but the majority of people in AFG dose not accept it, we have seen and heared that everything is going agnist the democracy in past 40 years people are being killed murderd behaded raped sucide, the most horibley the sucidebombers wich there is not any weapen or ideia to discharg this action in whole world, we hope a clean and powerfull and islamic democracy in our country!

seemed27

September 15, 2011

W.W. writes:

Democracy it is not always the answer sometimes it is worthed to fight for liberty

dr r.

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Egypt

September 15, 2011

Dr. Hatem R. in Egypt writes:

I KNOW THE VALUE OF A HUMAN BEING IN THE CIVILIZED WORLD.I HAVE BEEN WORKING IN UK AND I HAVE BEEN TAUGHT TO PRACTICE THIS VALUE.I KNOW THAT MY VOICE FROM A DEVELOPING COUNTRY LIKE EGYPT WOULDN'T`T CONSIDERED VALUABLE.YOU ARE INVESTING A HUGE AMOUNT OF MONEY TO EXPLORE THE SPACE WHICH CAN BE AN IMPORTANT TACTIC SAVING YOUR OWN PEOPLE.YOU CAN ALSO INVEST YOUR MONEY INVADING THE DESERT AND USING RIVER NILE IN THOSE AFRICAN COUNTRIES.YOU MIGHT GET THEM GATHERED.THIS REGION IS AN INFLAMMED AND CIVILIZATION IS A SIMPLE SOLUTION FOR THEIR PROBLEMS.US CAN PROVOKE THE IDEA,

Annonymous

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United States

September 19, 2011

A. in USA writes:

On this day, I think of the thousands of U.S innocent citizens that are victimized by the illegal tactics and practices of Cointelpro which allows U.S. intelligence agencies to discredit, infiltrate, stalk, torture and terrorize innocent citizens 24 hrs a day without any recourse from Dept of Justice, UN, Amnesty International, White House, U. S Congressional reps, U.S Senators, media, human rights orgs or civil rights orgs. Though U. S proudly calls itself the leader of Democracy and Liberty, it's own government continues to terrorize innocent minorities, activists, whistleblowers and increasingly single women too are targeted. Wonder why no organizations in the world helps these targeted law-abiding citizens????

Karen H.

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Oregon, USA

September 19, 2011

Karen H. in Oregon writes:

Spreading democracy is a noble cause, and now is the time for mankind to take that to a higher level with a grander plan for the future.

A plan for world peace is being introduced and debated all around the planet. People in 54 nations support the World Peace Plan, which involves the creation of an international government based on fair and equitable practices, on the US Constitution, and guarantees to every person on the planet the same inalienable rights US citizens have under our Constitution.

For world peace to come, every person on the planet must be able to create his or her life without interference, be treated fairly and equally, and have a voice in his or her government.

Sallie

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Egypt

September 19, 2011

Sallie in Egypt writes:

Democracy is only the best form of government we have come up with so far - but until we figure out something new or find Aristotle's 'enlightened monarch' we're stuck with it.

That said, there are more important things than "democracy": human rights, liberty, freedom of speech. Democracy CAN guarantee these things, but it is not the only means of guaranteeing them. Once the world is fed, clothed, free of curable diseases, and able to speak openly and engage in politics, then we can argue over which form of politics is best.

Jean I.

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Seychelles

September 19, 2011

Jean P.I. in Seychelles writes:

On the day Seychelles is in morning as we do not have a Democracy, our so called Democratic state is shadowed by a rubber stamp to suit the ego of the ruling party and its individuals.

So as a step to acquire what we where promised years ago when the former President France Albert Rene took over the country by a coup, all real opposition in the island is on an all out Boycott of the Parliamentary Election 2011.

We urge that the us as well does not indirectly portray a hand as to glorify Democracy but yet make deals with our communist regime in Seychelles while the people of the country is Deprived of Democratic joys.

On this day we expect solidarity as was shown to the people of Libya after years of tyranny and dictatorship.

Zharkov

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United States

September 19, 2011

Zharkov in USA writes:

Democracy, as Gadaffi's Green Book explained, can come in many forms.

Americas is a republic, not a true democracy, and we do not vote for legislation but we do vote for representatives who are supposed to carry out our wishes. Well, they don't.

Examples: Nearly universal rejection of ObamaCare, yet we're stuck fighting it in courts. We've got a tax system that nobody understands, yet nobody will lift a pen to write a Bill to abolish it. Congress has a 9% approval rating yet we can't get rid of them until the next election! We're bankrupt yet nobody wants to stop the unaffordable wars. Our dollar is losing value so quickly that some countries no longer want to accept it in trade.

Is the American model of "democracy" working?
Not if you ask the average American.

Americans will tell you that our basic system is just fine - it's the people in the system who are not working.

When government loathes our constitution, ignoring most of it, disparaging it's meaning and purpose, laughing at some of it, then what you see today is the result.

The US Constitution is the instruction manual for this government. It isn't working, and it's time to go back and read the instructions.

Anonymous

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United States

September 19, 2011

A. in USA writes:

Democracy in U.S is not all what it's cracked up to be either especially when it comes to the competency, ethics and morality of it's own government. Today U, S government has allowed it's many intelligence agencies to OPENLY and ILLEGALLY reinstate Cointelpro - a form of 24-hour-a-day Organized Stalking, Electronic Harrassment, Spying, Discrediting, Infiltrating and "paying" hate groups to help government to terrorize, torture & stalk innocent U.S. citizens whom have NEVER committed nor ever been accused of nor found guilty of committing any crimes. Most of these innocent U.S citizens being victimized by ILLEGAL Cointelpro are minorities, activists, whistleblowers and single women.

And everyone including UN, Amnesty International, Human Rights groups, Civil Rights groups, Civil Liberty groups, Global media, U.S Senate & House, Dept of Justice and White House KNOWS ALL ABOUT AND REFUSES TO INTERVENE OR HELP these innocent U. S victims. So believe me Democracy in U.S NEEDS MUCH IMPROVEMENT.